Women's experiences of psychological support for endometriosis
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Women's experiences of receiving psychological support for endometriosis: A qualitative study
IRAS ID
255451
Contact name
Fiona Varney
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Manchester
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 7 months, 30 days
Research summary
Endometriosis is a chronic condition affecting approximately 10% of women of reproductive age, where the lining of the womb grows in other parts of the body. Symptoms include chronic pain, heavy bleeding, dyspareunia (painful sexual intercourse) and infertility (NHS Choices, 2015). There is currently no cure for endometriosis. The medical model predominantly informs symptom management, for example women are offered pain medication, hormone treatments, and surgery (NHS Choices, 2015), however even with such treatments the symptoms may not subside or completely disappear.
It is widely acknowledged that endometriosis can result in considerable psychological and social difficulties, for example depression, anxiety, and difficulties in carrying out normal daily activities (Culley et al., 2013; Pope et al., 2015). Despite this however, women with endometriosis are not routinely offered treatments focusing on their psychosocial wellbeing. There have been calls for multidisciplinary care for endometriosis, which can address the emotional and psychological impacts of the condition, however these calls come from clinicians and researchers working in the field, and not from women with endometriosis themselves (Fritzer et al.,, 2012; Zarbo et al., 2018). Women may feel their psychological needs are being met, or may feel they do not need this support.
The current study therefore aims to add women’s voices to this literature, by conducting interviews with women with endometriosis, to explore their experiences of psychological support for the condition. This research may go some way to informing the structure of services, and ensuring women’s needs are met in a multidisciplinary way.
REC name
London - West London & GTAC Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/LO/0443
Date of REC Opinion
8 Mar 2019
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion